Anyone have macular degeneration?

[alfie]

I was diagnosed six years ago. At that time I had lost central vision on the right eye,, but left eye was fine. About a year ago a blind area started just lateral to center in the left eye. Recently it has spread some more laterally. I feel that my vision is imparted enough that I have given up driving except within a few blocks of my house.

I would like some feedback from others. Thanks

[elleng]

1. No, but my Dad did.

(He passed 3 years ago, @ 98.) He had some treatments, in FL, maybe 6 years ago. I don't know if it helped. There was a question whether he had wet or dry, and I don't recall the significance of that.

He gave me his car around 5 years ago.

Best of luck to you.

[alfie]

2. Thanks elleng

Great that you had your dad so long.

I have dry MD so no treatment. I take special formulated vitamins to slow the progression. Do you remember about how he had it?

[elleng]

3. I don't know for how long he had it,

but I suspect during the last years of his life. I don't recall complaints from him about vision before they sold their house (in FL,) which may have been around 2006. He was born in 1913.

I drove him to the eye doc '06 or after. Of course as I didn't live down there, was not familiar with day to day progression.

[bleedinglib]

4. a cancer drug

is what I am being treated with! About every 3 or 4 months I haft too get the injection in my rt eye. (Thankfully) my macular is treatable.
The drug is injected into the infected area. After a few days the vision clears up. I hope ur seeing an ophthalmologist?
My Medicare covers this procedure, otherwise I might be blind!!
I tell everyone, if u notice any spots in ur vision, "don't delay" get too ur doctor quick!! "time is critical" with this!!
There are 2 cancer drugs available 2 treat Macular D. There is a huge diff. in price, but the cheaper one works fine.
My doc. told me that there arn't enough people training in this field & that worries him.
My cousin has twins that were born with Macular (center vision)
& haft 2 take special training for reading. Scary.
I hope this has been helpful? I'm always ready too talk?
(a little humor) One day in the docs. office, this elderly gentleman over in the corner was talking too himself, saying, " my mama told me I'd go blind"

[sinkingfeeling]

5. My 95 year-old mother has it and is legally blind. I read an

article recently that said there's hope with new stem cell cloning in providing sight with the disease.

[alfie]

6. A cure would be wonderful.

I can still use my computer and read all but really small print, but a bit more growth of the blind area in my left eye will end that.

I appreciate everyone's replies.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. The Area Council for the Blind provided my mom with an enlarger that could

enlarge print in books and on screens. She used it for several years, but now gets audio books from them. She also had the shots somebody else mentioned.

[RebelOne]

8. I have it in my left eye.

I had cataract surgery on both eyes in March and then my eye surgeon informed me I had it in my left eye. He told me to take Centrium Silver to help slow it down because there is nothing else that can be done. My vision is much better now after the surgery, but I have to wear reading glasses. I had to have cataract surgery because I had to renew my driver's license and after 65 here in Georgia you have to take an eye test. At that time I couldn't pass the eye test. But after the cataracts were removed and new lenses implanted, I passed with flying colors.

[alfie]

9. Could you differently in the effected eye after surgery?

My doc wants me to see a surgical opthamalogist for evaluation for cataract removal in my right eye where I have lost central vision. My peripheral vision is still good so I'm not sure it would help. I have an appt with him in a couple of weeks.

I take vitamins but Don't have the kind they treat with shots.

[RebelOne]

11. Yes, I saw a little better after surgery,

but not as good as I would like. I still could not pass the eye test with just my left eye. I was OK when I was tested using both eyes.

[trof]

10. I do. 'Age Related Macular Degeneration' Taking AREDS 2.

Bausch & Lomb PreserVision.
"The ONLY clinically proven formula" according to them.
From CVS.
Supposed to slow down the progression.

No blind spot yet, but distorted vision in left eye.
Straight lines look a bit wavy in peripheral vision.
Had cataract surgery/lens replacement on that eye a couple of months ago.

[CountAllVotes]

12. My husband has the wet form of this

It started right after my mother died in 2002. Suddenly it was gone in the left eye. The other eye was holding up good until he got the shingles in 2008 and the shingles went into his good eye and set the macular degeneration off in said eye.

He has to have injections in the eye he has partial sight out of about every 8-12 weeks (depends) for the rest of his life and his vision at present is 20/40 is what he has left after a rather botched cataract surgery in 2012. He has since time also developed glaucoma to top it off.

Needless to say he had to give up driving and he is not very happy about it nor am I as the whole load falls upon me now.

His eyesight in not at all good and it is almost as challenging for me as it is for him at times.

Sadly, it seems to be highly genetic, more common in those with blue eyes which he has. There are 10 kids in his family and about half of the ones still around have macular degeneration.

My late father also had the wet form but it affected one eye only best I know.

I have yet to hear of anyone recovering from this horrible problem but make sure you keep it under close watch. If you notice anything odd at all with the good eye, get to the ophthalmologist ASAP.

There is a lot of research and progress going on with this problem. I hope there will be a cure soon for those suffering with this soon.

Sorry to hear you have this crap! Hang in there!